Monday 17 December 2012

Is America Becoming a Pagan Kingdom?



I
Kelly O'Connell - http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/51803
It must be some kind of joke to suggest the United States of America is turning resolutely towards paganism, the antithesis of Christianity-correct? Sadly, this is exactly what appears to be quickly happening to this most Christian of all nations in terms of origin and practice. We see this in our views of government, family, economics, freedom, law and especially religion. We are now presented with a kind modern homo paganus, a modernized version of ancient man. Paganism is defined as:
1. An adherent of a polytheistic religion in antiquity, especially when viewed in contrast to an adherent of a monotheistic religion.
2. A Neopagan.
3. Offensive-a. One who has no religion; b. An adherent of a religion other than Judaism, Christianity, or Islam.
4. A hedonist.
Paganism is a set of beliefs and practices essentially tied to the societies of the ancient world outside Judaism and Christianity. In particular, classical paganism was the worldview of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The revival of these ancient cultures during the Renaissance by way of the ancient writers is the foundation for Humanism. Despite the many high points of ancient classical paganism, these cultures' values were rejected by the Christian West as utterly at odds with the great standards created by the rise of Christian Europe. This article details how these standards, misunderstood and rejected, are being slowly lost and replaced by unenlightened instincts and more primitive beliefs.
I. The Drift of Modern American Public Policy & Societal Mores
When gay marriage bills pass for the first time in state ballots, it is obvious that a new day has dawned in America. As opposed to the mere evolution of ideas and habits which occurs in every culture, the transition in the US represents a sea-change in beliefs and practice. This change represents a fall back into paganism, which could be argued the default thoughts and ideals of unregenerate mankind. Further, one could directly state that there are two essential worldviews of mankind-the biblical versus pagan.
Paganism therefore rejects biblical revelation of the One God, and an objective definition of truth-replacing it with a regime of superstition, earth worship, polytheism, and radical humanism. The latter is the replacement of any traditional Western idea of religion with rank secularism, however that might attain. An example of the latter would be Marxism with its savage embargo of God, which replaced tradition with a comically inept reign of humanistic pseudo-science, totally rejecting constitutionalism, natural law, and human rights.
It is a fundamental conviction of modern mankind that human society is destined to evolve and that all evolution occurs to positive results. This notion is tied into the prevalent belief that humans evolved and therefore evolution is a fixed and positive reality of human life. Instead, this pernicious notion would be harmful, even if humans were products of Darwinian evolution-because it fatalistically blesses every change without bothering to analyze it. Certainly this is one of the causes of the continuing fall in human happiness in our increasingly confused and contradictory society. These reborn pagan practices all help guide our fall.
II. Ancient Roots of Modern Paganism
Foundation of the West's Argument Against Paganism
The chief and most devastating arguments against paganism were levied by Christian Roman emperors, and by the ancient Church Fathers. These can be boiled down to a few central principles. First, according to the emperors, paganism rejected God's rule over mankind. Likewise, according to the Patristic Fathers, essential truth can only be known via revelation-by divine gift to mankind, as opposed to the flawed results of humanistic philosophizing.
Second, since only God knows the truth, only He can deliver this through His Word. So to oppose this, whether by pagan or heretic means is one of the most grievous sins imaginable. The emperors, such as Constantine made proposing such pagan falsehoods against the law. Other emperors may have battled back against this mandate, such as Julian the Apostate, but the tide was clear and eventually the Roman Empire became officially Christianized.
The triumph of Christianity against paganism among the common people should be seen as the understandable acceptance of a theory of God which was not arbitrary, offering a description of life based upon hope over fear. Also, the Bible gained cachet by presenting a vision of life where all men and women, regardless of status, citizenship, free or slave, all stood on equal footing before God. This powerful idea was the opposite of Roman society. Sadly, rejecting this can only be seen as a lapse from faith back into the abyss of ignorance and certain failure.
III. Chief Doctrines of Reborn Paganism
A. Family
The modern family is in state of siege, on the verge of total destruction. In its place are various entities and unions, many fleeting in nature. Marriage itself as a sacred Christian union is a bygone concept. More interestingly, the very institutions which supported and fed into marriage by way of courtship and dating are today almost extinct. The practice of "hooking up," being a preliminary sexual exploration before any level of commitment-has inverted the paradigm. The upshot is the old cornerstone of "True Love" being a fixation on a marriage of incorporeal love and total dedication versus all others-essentially unknown in the ancient world-has disappeared. The ancient world with its commonplace prostitution and use of slaves as unfettered sex objects without any rights-regardless of age, gender and used in any manner has been replaced by promiscuity and pornography.
B. Gay Marriage
While gay "marriage" is seen nowhere in ancient history, the seeds of homosexual unions are firmly planted in classical paganism. First, the Greeks were open to the potential for men to have homosexual relations. For example, in one of the most notorious developments in history, homosexual pedophilia was highly developed in ancient Greece. This cult of pederasty was ostensibly used for instruction. Further, homosexual acts by adults were noted in culture and the arts.
Romans also tolerated homosexuality, yet with a twist. Officially, homosexual acts between Roman citizens merited the death penalty. Yet, any sex acts done with a slave, even children, were totally acceptable. This was because slaves were not technically persons under the law. Yet, no ancient society ever allowed homosexuals the right to marry. Further, the Christian theology placing Christ's relationship to the Church as an analogy to human marriage certainly meant that no straight reading of the Bible could ever condone such an idea. That America now legislates such actions is a powerful statement on our true pagan faith.
C. State Directed Religion
While the American Constitution famously defends the right for unfettered religious belief and expression, modern society is seriously pruning back free religious expression. What is taking its place is a kind of state-approved religious expression which focuses on certain pagan beliefs, such as the deification of nature, the planet (gaia) and the cosmos. Considered the most grievous crime against the modern mind is the prejudiced claim of an exclusive religion or God, especially one whom proscribes certain "sinful" behaviors. This rejection of the biblical code is an acceptance of the ancient pagan standards that tolerated any religion except an exclusive claim which rejected all others.
D. Command Economy
The ancient world had no comprehension of capitalism, its theories being outlined formally by Adam Smith in Wealth of Nations. But it is true that the elements of informal capitalism have existed from time immemorial without being codified. In the ancient world, land was often owned by the government-such as in Egypt. In Rome, the government contracted for "corn," or grain from which to feed the people. Often this was contracted in foreign climes like Africa. There was an artificial port named, appropriately enough, Portus built expressly in which to land craft laden with grain. The public policy of amassing grain for public use and setting its price, meant to ameliorate famine, was cura annonae, according to Tacitus. While inventive, the government's direct control of agriculture on such large scale would neither be efficient, nor sustainable. That America is now creating a command economy of health care is a dire sign for the end of the world's best private medical system.
E. Irrelevance of Private Morality Behind Public Success
In ancient Rome, citizens were not judged by their private lives as much by their achievement of success in two realms-military and politics. Wealth and great fame were also acknowledged. The concept of an admirable inner life was unknown to Romans, according to Florence Dupont in Daily Life in Ancient Rome, describing how Romans were not in the least introspective, but judged themselves exclusively by how others saw them. The goal in the Roman world was glory and a good name, achieved by battlefield bravery and political achievement in the senate and various magistracies.
What mattered in ancient Rome is similar to what is celebrated in modern America-military success, political achievement, overall renown, riches, and being part of a higher status family. But what used to be a fixation with Americans-being how people achieved success and what kind of person they were, how they treat friends, family, and strangers, let alone overall character-no longer matters.
F. Anti-Science
Scientific undertakings in America have become overly politicized and ends-directed until the outcomes of "independent" studies and experiments are now often wholly predictable and fixed. This is much like how ancient Rome used its collegia of priestly groups. For example, when the Romans had a monstra appear, being some kind of natural anomaly, like the birth of a two-headed calf, the senate investigated this by way of their priests. They might ask the Haruspices to investigate the nature of these phenomenons, who would do so by opening an animal and reading its liver. These would then report back to the senate their findings, but it would be up to the senate to decide what it all meant. So pagan politics dominated every other concern, just like today.
F. Nature Worship
One sees a decided development of worship of nature in the modern cult of Gaia, which portrays the earth as a kind of god. Such sentiments are not foreign to ancient societies, which often associated religion with such items as trees, aka sacred groves. For instance, one writer describes Earth First and then love of trees and nature worship,
Some of today's environmental movement is clearly a revival of ancient pagan nature worship, exemplified in this video of Earth First members crying out, speaking not only of but to trees, and referring to the forest as a "tabernacle."
This attitude is plainly seen in the following passages from Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism With an Essay on Baal Worship, On The Assyrian Sacred "Grove":
There is a word of the feminine gender occurring in the Hebrew twenty-four times, viz., Asherah or Asharah; plural, Asharth translated in the Septuagint and Latin vulgate, a tree, or "grove," in which they have been followed by most modern versions, including the English. This supplies the void, for Asharah may be regarded as another name for the goddess Ashtoreth. What, then, was the Asharah? It was of wood, and of large size; the Jews were ordered to cut it down.
G. One-World Religious System
The dream of a one-world pagan religious system symbolized by the European godhead excepted Judaism and Christianity is alive today. The ancient religious system of Rome and Greece had analogs across the globe in various cultures, whether in Europe, the Indian subcontinent, or various other places. This world system is back via commands against exclusivity, or prohibitions against what were once considered sins. Defy this movement and risk jails or fines, just as ancient Roman authorities attempted to stamp out and kill Christianity for rejecting the state pantheon.
H. World Religion Polytheism Versus Monotheism
One of the great battles between ancient paganism and Christianity was the debate over whether a single, versus multiple deities existed. For example, one of the main reasons Christianity was sanctioned so harshly by the Romans was their insistence that God was of one nature. This disagreed with the state religious system which was pluralistic and committed to bringing in any non-novel foreign deities, already established elsewhere. Interestingly, the most important public policy in ancient Rome was Pax Deorum, or the Peace of the Gods-which directed the leaders to do anything humanly possible to avoid upsetting the gods so as to avoid human tragedy.
This battle was decisively settled when Constantine declared Christianity the state religion. After this such leaders as Emperor Theodosius declared pagan worship a capital offense, with offenders possibly executed. Yet, today in America the Christian church is reeling as multiple cases come down against Believers and church expressions of faith. Any statements seen as exclusive of any other religious traditions, including atheism are harshly put down as non-inclusive. So paganism has returned to America.
I. World Government & Tower of Babel
A fixation on a one-world government which would create a single law applied around the globe by a world court system, also delivering taxation and management of resources and assets is not a new idea but ancient. The Tower of Babel in Genesis was an example of such an attempt to create a one-world society. This was rejected by Yahweh who caused languages to be multiplied to foment confusion to end the project. Therefore, a commitment to world government cannot be claimed biblical or modern, but merely pagan.
J. Education Goals
While the classical Triumvirate was developed by pagan thinkers, the average Roman did not have access to such first-class education. The vast majority of Romans were plebeians, the poorer class. Only upper class males were trained, with some notable middle class children such as Cicero who were able to advance beyond their class via hard work and genius.
The original American education czar, John Dewey, was certainly a progressive, and many feel a Marxist. His goal was to train children through experience, not via rote memory or immersion in classical texts as was the original American pedagogy. It is because of Dewey's ideas that American education became a study in advanced mediocrity, turning out generations of students simply not equipped to debate, analyze arguments, or study texts with any precision. In other words, perfect pawns for the state, representing the ancient Roman description of a few elites directing the masses. Writes one educator,
A detailed examination of Dewey's relationship to Marxism can explain a great deal about the form and content of modern schools. Dewey found Marxism useful, if not indispensable, in the formulation of his educational theories...
K. Belief in Universal Law
It is part of leftist modern political theory that there must be a body of world legislators and courts to standardize a global law, which presumes a viable world body of law fully applicable in any scenario or setting. This idea was in fact first declared by the ancient Roman Stoics who declared a law which applied universally, such as demanded now with the United Nations.
Yet the greatest theory of law in modern history, Anglo-American common law, is decidedly not a claim of universal jurisprudence but a regional canon based upon Natural Law & Rights. It proved so powerful its Constitution and Bill of Rights became the model for all universal rights theorists. Yet the problem with universal law regimes is that should they become corrupt, the entire world would become infected and tyrannical, without any potential respite except for armed insurrection.
L. Afterlife
The idea of a heaven and hell were not originally in the minds of the earliest Romans. Instead, a life inside the grave was imagined, explaining inclusion of various everyday implements, according to Numa Denis Fustel De Coulanges in The Ancient City. Instead, it was thought corpses still had some level of awareness in the grave. Only later was it conceived that underground spirits joined in a giant cavern where they resided together. But there was no belief that good people went to a heaven, whereas as the evil went to hell.
In modern America, belief in a Christian heaven and hell is increasingly unpopular with many believing just in heaven, whereas many others believe the "soul" is annihilated after death. This is no coincidence, but in an increasingly perverse and irreligious populace where many cling only to the barest outlines of Christianity, it is certain that those who abandon traditional morality also abandon orthodox theology on the afterlife.
M. Property Rights
One of the current fascinations in American society is the idea of wealth redistribution. This well-suits the welfare of ancient Rome and its grain dole. Further, despite the idea of private property, there was no well-established right of such. This is because the city, the most common authority in antiquity, was seen as representing the group, and no individual rights theory existed at this time. Therefore, the city could confiscate private property if it saw need to.
The medieval debate over private property between the Franciscans and the Pope was used by William of Ockham to argue that individuals had a non-negotiable right to property ownership. This became a foundational Natural Law and Rights argument. John Locke famously argued for a complete defense of private property, which along with the rule of law, made America's prosperity possible. Yet, now we are on the verge of giving up even this fundamental right which will almost certainly lead to America collapsing economically.


Thursday 29 November 2012

Address by Minister Baird to United Nations General Assembly in Opposition to Palestinian Bid for Non-Member Observer State Status | The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

Address by Minister Baird to United Nations General Assembly in Opposition to Palestinian Bid for Non-Member Observer State Status | The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

On Wednesday November 29 2012 , Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird informed the House of Commons of the Government of Canada’s intention to cast a vote against the Palestinian bid for Non-Member Observer State Status at the United Nations. Below is the transcript of Minister Baird’s address to the United Nations General Assembly from earlier today.


Mr. President,
Canada opposes this resolution in the strongest terms because it undermines the core foundations of a decades-long commitment by the international community and the parties themselves to a two-state solution, arrived at through direct negotiations.
While we understand a final resolution remains elusive, Canada has long opposed unilateral actions by either side as these are unhelpful. The outstanding issues are too intricate and too complex to be resolved by symbolic, unilateral measures.
We do not believe that unilateral measures taken by one side can be justified by accusations of unilateralism directed at the other. That approach can only result in the steady erosion and collapse of the very foundations of a process which—while incomplete—holds the only realistic chance to bring about two peaceful, prosperous states living side-by-side as neighbours.
Canada’s support for a negotiated settlement, like our opposition to the initiative before us today, is rooted in the very history of this venerable organization and in the sustained international effort to resolve this matter.
Canada was proud to be one of the countries preparing the blueprint for peace as part of the 1947 UN Special Committee on Palestine. That committee came up with a proposal for a two-state solution—one predominantly Jewish and the other predominantly Arab living side by side—which ultimately resulted, in November 1947, in the passage of UN General Assembly Resolution 181 setting out the Partition Plan. However, not all of those who should have supported this vision were prepared to do so, and the people of the region have suffered for seven decades as a result.
Even in those early, difficult days, however, the principle of collaboration between the two parties was seen as an inherent necessity, as reflected in the elaboration of a plan for economic union between the two sides. While Resolution 181 has never been fully implemented, this principle—the idea that the two parties need to work together to achieve their mutual and intertwined destinies and potential—has survived as an essential ingredient in successive efforts to find an elusive peace.
In 1948, UN Resolution 194 set up a Conciliation Commission aimed at finding solutions to the full range of problems facing the two sides. It established an important principle in calling for the parties involved to seek agreement, through negotiations, “with a view to the final settlement of all questions outstanding between them.”
In 1967, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 242. The Council requested the dispatch of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the region to “promote agreement and assist efforts to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement,” entrenching further the principle that solutions required the acceptance and collective action of both sides.
This idea was reaffirmed in 1973 in UN Security Council Resolution 338, which decided that “immediately and concurrently with the ceasefire, negotiations shall start between the parties concerned under appropriate auspices aimed at establishing a just and durable peace.”
These two resolutions—242 and 338—form the explicitly recognized cornerstone of all the subsequent peace commitments, accords and understandings that followed between the two parties, enshrining the need for negotiations as a core principle.
Both the Israelis and the Palestinians reaffirmed their acceptance of the principles and obligations laid out in both resolutions in 1993 with the signing of the Oslo Accords. Article I made the point explicitly in highlighting that the “interim arrangements are an integral part of the whole peace process and that the negotiations on the permanent status will lead to the implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 and 338.”
In 1995, Oslo II built on those important foundations. In the preamble, both sides reaffirmed “their desire to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement and historic reconciliation through the agreed political process.” Article 31, under Final Clauses (section 7), stipulated that “Neither side shall initiate or take any step that will change the status of the West Bank and Gaza pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations.”
These principles were, again, reaffirmed in 2002. UN Security Council Resolution 1397 called on “the Israeli and Palestinian sides and their leaders to cooperate in the implementation of the Tenet work plan and Mitchell Report recommendations with the aim of resuming negotiations on a political settlement.” It also offered support to the Secretary-General and others in their efforts to “resume the peace process.”
The following year, 2003, the Middle East Quartet was established. It developed the Roadmap, which was a performance-based, goal-driven plan covering peace, security and humanitarian areas. Its approach and directions were based explicitly on the principles contained in UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 1397. A key element of the Quartet Principles contained in the Roadmap was the requirement that “a clear, unambiguous acceptance by both parties of the goal of a negotiated settlement” was needed to reach the destination. It goes on to underscore that “a settlement, negotiated between the parties, will result in the emergence of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors.” The Quartet Roadmap requires, by its very nature, a collaborative effort explicitly requiring “reciprocal steps” by the two sides.
Later that year, UN Security Council Resolution 1515 formally “endorse[d] the Quartet Roadmap, while calling on the parties to “fulfil their obligations under the Roadmap in cooperation with the Quartet and to achieve the vision of two States living side by side in peace and security.”
Resolution 1850, passed in 2008, underscored the Council’s explicit support for the negotiations undertaken in Annapolis in 2007, including “its commitment to the irreversibility of the bilateral negotiations.” The Resolution reaffirmed international support for the Quartet Principles and the determination of both parties to “reach their goal of concluding a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues, without exception.” It also called on both sides to “refrain from any steps that could undermine confidence or prejudice the outcome of negotiations.”
Mr. President, successive UN Security Council resolutions and various international commitments and understandings over nearly seven decades have formed the building blocks of a collaborative peace process that remains unfinished. The path to peace has historically rested in direct negotiations between the two parties to resolve all outstanding issues and it remains the same today. Solutions can only come through the two sides working together.
This resolution will not advance the cause of peace or spur a return to negotiations. Will the Palestinian people be better off as a result? No. On the contrary, this unilateral step will harden positions and raise unrealistic expectations while doing nothing to improve the lives of the Palestinian people.
Canada is committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East whereby two states live side-by-side in peace and security.
Any two-state solution must be negotiated and mutually agreed upon by both sides.
Any unilateral action, from either side, outside of the bilateral framework outlined above is ultimately unhelpful.
Canada has long supported efforts to bring the two sides to the bargaining table to resolve all outstanding issues, and we remain committed to that objective.
But we cannot support an initiative that we are firmly convinced will undermine the objective of reaching a comprehensive, lasting and just settlement for both sides.
It is for these reasons that Canada is voting against this resolution. As a result of this body’s utterly regrettable decision to abandon policy and principle, we will be considering all available next steps.
We call on both sides to return to the negotiating table without preconditions. Canada will be there to offer its good offices and support.
Thank you.

Saturday 17 November 2012

Prophecy Update


 From YBIC-Randy

http://prophecyupdate.com/

Dear Reader / Supporter,

There are so many prophetically significant events happening right before our very eyes that it almost makes one dizzy just trying to keep up with it all. The Arab Spring has brought forth many regime changes in the Middle East such as in Egypt and Libya and as it continued into the Arab Summer, Fall and now Winter, we can expect even more changes.

Earlier this year it looked like Israel and Iran were going to bomb each other off the map any day. Israel looked to the U.S. for help but we were too busy with what we used to call an election and pretty much put Israel on hold. This year has been the most exciting prophetically speaking since 1948, in our modern age. The Lord is lining up and setting the stage, moving scenery around and placing the final end time actors into their roles. It's as if the Lord has Bible Prophecy on a remote control. Earlier this year he hit play and prophecy moved forward, Arab Spring begins, Libya's Gaffadi (delete), Egypt's Mubarak (delete), Turkey getting involved, Israel and Iran's tit-for-tat, Osama Bin laden (delete), Syria's uncivil war, the U.S. election Obama (save) Romney (delete). It's been a crazy year and it seemed like everything was coming to a head and then right before the election it was if the Lord pressed pause, insert Hurricane Sandy (play - slow motion) and then the election was over, the Lord hit play again and then in the last few days he hit (fast forward) Hamas, Palestinians - UN, missiles into Israel, Operation Pillar of Defense...

I am not sure how long we will be in (fast forward) or if the Lord will hit pause again. I do know that we have never been closer to the coming of the Lord which means that the rapture is even closer!

Who can deny that we are living in the End Times, our time is truly, truly, short, let us make the time we have left count for all eternity.

According to the Lord's own words, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

God will come for his Church suddenly at a time when we least expect it. For this reason, He instructs us to be ready, always prepared, and on guard for his coming. As those around us turn their backs on God, worshipping themselves, other gods, or false prophets instead, we should be looking up. We should have our spiritual lives in order, so that we might escape what is to come. Especially as we are now witnessing the signs of the end times, God reminds us that we need to be in prayer constantly so that we will not be led down the other path and miss His coming.

The last few years has seen a quickening of predicted bible prophecies, it's as if time has been accelerated. Fulfilled bible prophecy has been happening at such a rapid pace that it almost makes one dizzy trying to keep up with it.

The restoration of the nation of Israel is the cornerstone of End Time bible prophecy and it's often called God's timepiece. You can pretty much tell what time it is on God's prophetic time schedule by what is happening in Israel. Against all odds, Israel was restored as a sovereign nation again on May 14, 1948; and this after its people being disbursed and scattered around the world for nearly 2,000 years. Its rebirth is the closest thing we have to a modern day miracle.

The very next day six Arab nations simultaneously prepared to invade the tiny country to destroy it at its birth. In a sudden and unprovoked onslaught, the armies of Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and volunteer forces from Saudi Arabia, converged upon Israel. It was David versus Goliath all over again. To any intelligent observer it was obvious that the Arabs would make short work of the undermanned and under- equipped Jews. If Israel was to survive it would take a miracle. By God's grace, the outnumbered and outgunned Israelis were victorious. Humanly speaking, there is no way to explain the well-trained, heavily armed Muslim army that outnumbered them ten to one. Israel has fought many wars since 1948 and continues daily to fight for its existence.

The Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah and even today they expect the return of their Messiah riding in on a white horse at almost any moment. They say they will know that it's their Messiah because He will let them rebuild their temple.

The Muslims, the main enemy of Israel, are expecting their Messiah, known as the 12th Iman. The 12th Imam is said to be a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad, having divine status as did each of this succession of sons. The 12th Imam is also called the Hidden Imam and the Mahdi (guided one). Mahdi will return when his followers create chaos and death in the world. Mahdi will return just before the end of the world. Mahdi's appearance will supposedly be preceded by a number of prophetic events during 3 years of horrendous world chaos tyranny and oppression. Mahdi will supposedly force people to convert to Islam or be beheaded. Mahdi will rule over the Arabs and world for 7 years. Mahdi will setup a one world religion and government.

The Christians, the Bride of Christ, are awaiting the Rapture of the Church at any moment. Sometime after the Rapture the Tribulation period will begin, it will begin with the Antichrist guaranteeing and enforcing a 7 year peace treaty between Israel and its enemies and allowing them to rebuild their Temple, 3 ½ years later the Antichrist will enter into the newly rebuilt temple and declare himself to be God, committing what the bible calls the "abomination of desolation".

 Meanwhile during this 7 year period God is pouring out His wrath upon an unrepentant world that will see nearly all mankind wiped out. At the end of this 7 year period the Antichrist and his followers will gather together in Israel's valley of Megiddo to destroy Jerusalem and Battle God, this will be the mother of all battles and is known as Armageddon. Just when this battle seems like all is lost the Lord Jesus Himself will return on a white horse followed with his bride, the raptured Church also mounted on horses and end the battle of Armageddon defeating Satan and his armies. This is called the "Second Coming"

So to sum it all up and put things in perspective, we have the three largest religions in the world expecting their Messiah at any moment. Sadly, the Messiah that the Jews and the Muslims will meet will be the same person that the bible calls the Antichrist.

The world is waiting and expecting a savior to bring some kind of peace and balance to our unstable world that is quickly crumbling beneath our feet. We are experiencing a global economic failure that is causing nations to fail and we are beginning to see a re-alignment of the nations and a call for a one world leader and a one world economy just as the bible predicted. We are seeing religions that in years past would not even speak to each other now aligning with each other and calling for a one world religion. We are seeing catastrophic changes in our weather with earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, flooding, pestilence and droughts all happening with an increase in intensity and frequency. Diseases and viruses are becoming drug resistant and we are seeing a huge increase in the number of violent and senseless killings and also a record number of thefts and crimes. The whole world is experiencing a sense of hopelessness and living in great fear and anxiety, our world leaders are perplexed, and every attempt to fix the economy or solve the problems in the middle east go down in flames.

The bible thousands of years ago, with 100 per cent accuracy, predicted the exact last days scenario that we are now seeing right before our very eyes. Shortly the Lord will come for His bride and Rapture the church off the planet, the disappearance of millions of people will most likely be explained away as a necessary global cleansing of people who were divisive and non-conforming.

Out of all the chaos and confusion that will ensue after the rapture there will come a man on the scene that will have all the answers to all the world's problems? This man will bring a sense of peace and calmness, he will implement a one world economy and a one world religion and for the most part he will be a savior to the world. This man whom the world will worship as a God is in actuality a false god, a tool and instrument of Satan, a man that the bible calls the Antichrist.

How will this man bring world peace, how will this man bring the Jews and Arabs together, how will this man be able to convince and unite all the world's religions into one? It's quite possible that Satan will send forth his demonic forces posing as ancient aliens and the leader of these ancient aliens will be the Antichrist himself, with advanced knowledge and advanced technology these alien forces led by the Antichrist will do in seven years what it would take mankind hundreds of years to complete.

Of course if one reads the bible we know how it's all going to end. Like the days of Noah, God warned the people for 120 that the flood was coming; God has been warning us for nearly 2000 years that he was returning. In precise detail he laid out the entire end time's scenario and wrote down for us to read and hear what is to come and how we can escape all these things.

As the predicted birth pangs increase in intensity more people than ever before from around the world are seeking answers. More people than ever before are looking and searching for answers and I am sure as prophetic events continue to unfold at this accelerated pace, even more people will visit Prophecy Update looking for answers. According to Google Analytics, Prophecy Update receives visitors from 163 nations around the world and each month we break new records in the amount of hits that we receive to the website and subscribers to the free Prophecy Update Newsletter is at an all-time high. Not too bad considering that there are only 195 countries recognized by the US state department.

Folks as you know, we have the answer and the answer is Jesus Christ, but many if not the majority of the world's population including many churches, walk around in total darkness. They ignore the signs and refuse to even teach Bible Prophecy, so that means they ignore nearly one third of the Bible, no wonder the Bible says that in the End Times there will be a famine for the word of God. "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land--not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Amos 8:11

Prophecy Update has been on line since 1999 and has grown every year, many similar web sites and ministries that started around the same time are no longer around. You can go to the Internet Archive: Wayback Machine at: http://archive.org/web/web.php  and type in www.prophecyupdate.com   to see how the site has changed and progressed over the years. Since the beginning of the year through today we have seen 569,485 unique visitors and have had 68,188,245 hits.

I want to take the time to thank of all you who subscribe to Prophecy Update and all of you who frequent the Prophecy Update website and take advantage of all the teaching resources that we have available and I do want you to take advantage of us! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement and financial support. Thank you for taking the time to forward the Updates to family and friends. Thank you all that use the Updates for teaching material and all that send in articles for posting. I do want to encourage you to forward us articles that you feel worthy enough to share with other readers or also if you are a writer and feel led to write a prophecy related article please send your submissions to prophecyupdate@bak.rr.com thanks!

NOW, MORE THAN EVER WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

I ask that you continue to keep this ministry in your daily prayers; secondly I ask that you would prayerfully consider becoming a financial supporter of this ministry. Many of you are already monthly supporters but we sure could use more, monthly supporters are the backbone and foundation of this ministry. You would think with so many visitors to our website that I would never have to bring up the subject of giving. I do so humbly and reluctantly, but in reality only about 50 to 60 dear and precious Saints give to this ministry with any regularity and I can actually name most of them off in my head because I am constantly giving thanks for them!

Every day I write the two daily newsletters, update the web site, research new material, work on new postings, edit material for the next DVD and read and answer as many of the nearly 300 emails I receive daily. I am not complaining one bit, I love every minute of it but please do not be offended if I don't answer your email promptly or not at all. It takes a lot of time and effort, but is a true labor of love to bring you the updates and provide all the contents of the web site.

The updates and the web site are provided free so that no one can be denied access to the Word of God. There is a charge to cover the cost of the teaching materials but even then we provide them free upon request. The web site is free of pop-up ads and commercial banners so that you can view the contents of the site without disturbance. We don't bombard you with offers and we don't plead and beg for money and tell you that we are going off the web if we don't get money. We don't have weeklong marathon fundraisers, nor do we have elaborate fundraising schemes.

My prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray right now that you would touch the hearts of those that you would lift up to support this ministry and I pray that you would bless them and give them a heart and a fire and a passion to support this ministry. Lord Jesus I pray that you would bless them in return for their faithfulness beyond any measurable comprehension, wonderfully and abundantly exceeding any and all expectations! Lord Jesus I pray for those that already support this ministry through prayer and financial means that you would continue to bless them in the most amazing ways, that not only they would be blessed but also those whom you have surrounded them with! In Jesus Name...Amen!

PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR CHRISTMAS AND END OF THE YEAR GIVING - THANKS!!!

I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact!

To make a donation or become a monthly supporter, please use the following link:

www.prophecyupdate.com/donations.htm

Or write to us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516

Thanks!

YBIC-Randy

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Note: You also help support this ministry when you purchase one of our DVD's or DVD sets. We have added "Angels, Aliens and Armageddon" to our Prophecy Series. So now you can get all 11 DVD's for only $69.95 and also as our way of saying thanks we have reduced the price on all previously released DVD's by 25% from now until December 31st. So now all individual DVD's are only $14.95...

To order visit: www.reelmanna.com

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Will The Church Go Through The Tribulation?


The Church will not go through the Tribulation. There is a distinct difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming. Some may disagree with me, and that is perfectly okay. Whether you and I, do or do not agree about the Rapture, it will have no effect on our salvation in Jesus Christ. However, for those who disagree, I strongly believe that rather than my being sorely disappointed, you will be pleasantly surprised.  
There are many differences in these two events as shown here:
 ·         Rapture: Jesus comes FOR His Church.
 ·         2nd Coming: Jesus comes back WITH His Church.
 ·         Rapture: Jesus waits in the air for His Church.
 ·         2nd Coming: Jesus comes to the earth.
 ·         Rapture: Church removed and unbelievers left behind.
 ·         2nd Coming: Unbelievers removed but Tribulation saints left behind.
 ·         Rapture: He comes to present His bride to the Father.
 ·         2nd Coming: He comes to judge and set up His kingdom.
 ·         Rapture: The marriage of the Lamb in Heaven follows the Rapture.
 ·         2nd Coming: The marriage is followed by war on earth.
 ·         Rapture: It happens in the twinkling of an eye.
 ·         2nd Coming: Will be a steady view of His return.
 ·         Rapture: Only the Church will see Him.
 ·         2nd Coming: Every eye will see Him.
 ·         Rapture: Jesus descends with a shout.
 ·         2nd Coming: No shout is mentioned.
 ·         Rapture: A resurrection takes place.
 ·         2nd Coming: No resurrection is mentioned.
 ·         Rapture: It can happen at any time.
 ·         2nd Coming: Can only happen at the end of the Tribulation.
 ·         Rapture: Angels are not sent. Jesus comes Himself.
 ·         2nd Coming: Angels are sent to gather people for judgment.
 ·         Rapture: Earthly bodies are changed to Heavenly bodies.
 ·         2nd Coming: The Church returns with Heavenly bodies.
 ·         Rapture: Jesus does not return on a white horse.
 ·         2nd Coming: Jesus does return on a white horse.
 ·         Rapture: Jesus' return is for His Church (His bride).
 ·         2nd Coming: Jesus returns for redeemed Israel and Tribulation saints.
 ·         Rapture: It is a message of hope and comfort.
 ·         2nd Coming: It is a message of judgment.
I'm sure this is not an exhaustive listing, but with it we can see that the Rapture and the Second Coming are not one and the same.
The seven year period of Tribulation on earth will be a time of God's wrath on earth like never before. He will judge the nations and through this self-same judgment bring Israel back in faith believing. "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17) But concerning His bride, the Church, He says, "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:10) He promised again in Revelation 3:10, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Revelation 3:10)
Also, some see Revelation chapter four verse one as a clear reference to the Church being raptured. On the other hand, some do not, even though they believe in the Rapture. Personally, it is very clear to me that this passage is most definitely referring to the Church being taken up to Heaven via the Rapture. This verse is shown below in four reliable English translations.
"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." (KJV)
"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." (NKJV)
"After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." (ESV)
"After these things I looked, and behold, a door   standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like   the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." (NASB)
Note that in every instance verse one begins with the word "after" and ends the same. In chapter one of Revelation we see Jesus revealed (revelation) in His glory. In chapters two and three Jesus is speaking to the church. He then transfers the Apostle John to Heaven in chapter four verse one to continue the prophecy. In chapter one, we see the eternal "I Am." In chapters two and three, we see the present day and age of the church period. Then beginning at chapter four, verse one He immediately takes us past the church age to the future.
If I go to see a play and there are three acts to the play, I will see one act after the other, not all three at once. Neither do they overlap in any way. If I attend a concert, I will listen to one song after the other, not all at one time. Neither do they overlap in any way. Neither do the church age and the Tribulation period co-exist or overlap in any way. One follows the other. As in a play, Act 1 comes BEFORE Act 2. Act 2 comes AFTER Act 1 and BEFORE Act 3. Act 3 comes AFTER Act 2. The Apostle John is shown the church age, and then he is raptured up to Heaven to see what follows the end of the church age. To me, you just can't get any clearer than that. After means after.
Some say that the word "Rapture" is not in the Bible. That is true, and neither are the words "Bible" or "Trinity" found in the Bible, but they are just as true as the Rapture.
The word "Rapture" is derived from the Latin translation of "caught up" in
1 Thessalonians 4:17, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." The Latin translation uses the word "rapturo," and this is where the word "rapture" is derived. The Greek word is "harpazo," and it means:
 1.     To seize, carry off by force
 2.     To seize on, claim for one's self eagerly
 3.     To snatch out or away
A few other verses where "harpazo" is used are:
Acts 8:39, "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."
Acts 23:10, "And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle."
2 Corinthians 12:2-4, "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven."
So there is no doubt that Jesus will come in the clouds and eagerly claim His bride the Church for Himself, by seizing her and snatching her away by force to Heaven at the end of the church age. The next act will be the Tribulation, AFTER the Rapture.
The Tribulation period is a time of intense judgment by God. What groom would beat the living daylights out of his bride and then say, "Okay, now let's go get married." It ain't going to happen.
Some say that the Church has suffered persecution down through the years, so why would she not suffer during the Tribulation? The reason is quite simple. "Persecution" has come from evil men who carry out the deeds of their father, the Devil. Judgment comes from God. The Tribulation, as I have already stated, is not persecution. It is judgment. God is not going to judge those who He has already promised will be protected from His wrath to come. (See verses above.) Conclusion; the Church will not go through any part whatsoever of the Tribulation. She will be raptured (LT-rapturo), snatched up (GK-harpazo), BEFORE the Tribulation, and the Tribulation will commence AFTER the Rapture.
Grant Phillips
 My articles are posted at "Pre-Rapture Commentary" http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com and many are also posted at "Rapture Ready"http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html